America.gov-Europe and Eurasia

United States-Russian Exchanges Boost Mutual Understanding

Carlos Aranaga — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:36:21 -0400

International student numbers are growing in the United States, and Russian students are a vital part of the mix.

United States Seeks Active Engagement with European Partners

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:08:33 -0400

President Obama and other high-level U.S. officials will be participating in international meetings in June and July in Europe to engage European partners directly on the most urgent, overarching security and economic challenges, a senior State Department official says.

Twin Belgian Olympic Sprinters Study in U.S., Break Records

Carlos Aranaga — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:49:17 -0400

Twin brothers Jonathan and Kevin Borlée, 21-year Olympians from Belgium, have spent the spring studying at Florida State University and competing for the university’s track team, and fulfilling their dream of training with the best athletes in the United States.

New Immigrants Live Russian and American Lives

Jaroslaw Anders — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:50:17 -0400

Today’s Russian immigrants to the United States are more diverse — ethnically and socially — than previous émigrés. Adapting easily to U.S. society, they still retain a strong sense of their unique identity and enjoy combining the best traditions of Russia with those of the United States.

Success on Global Challenges Requires Strong U.S.-European Ties

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:52:19 -0400

Working with European allies, in groups and one-on-one, remains critical to achieving U.S. success in tackling the global challenges the trans-Atlantic alliance faces, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Philip Gordon says.

U.S. and Europeans Agree on Resettling Guantánamo Detainees

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:01:03 -0400

President Obama welcomes the agreement between the European Union and the United States on a mechanism to resettle some Guantánamo detainees in European Union member states, as well as on developing a “lasting and durable international legal framework” for counterterrorism cooperation.

In Albania and Greece, Brave Individuals Fight Human Slavery

Yasmine Alotaibi — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:45:13 -0400

Human slavery continues to be a worldwide scourge. Vera Lesko of Albania and George Vanikiotis of Greece are recognized for their actions in fighting the human trafficking problem in their countries.

U.S. Adoptions Process Has Rigorous Safeguards

Jaroslaw Anders — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:44:42 -0400

When Russian children are adopted by U.S. families, the United States employs stringent safeguards to ensure their health and safety. And many U.S. families make sure their adopted children know their origin and heritage.

July Moscow Summit Seeks to Reduce Nuclear Arsenals

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:35:17 -0400

President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev committed to reducing their nuclear arsenals through a proposed arms reduction treaty that would take effect late this year. Further action on such a treaty is expected to be discussed when Obama and Medvedev meet in Moscow in early July.

Obama: D-Day Changed an Entire Century

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 15:27:03 -0400

It was unknowable on June 6, 1944, but much of the progress that defined the 20th century began when Allied forces stormed a slice of French beach only six miles long and two miles wide, President Obama said in a speech commemorating the 65th anniversary of the World War II D-Day landings.

Obama, Germany’s Merkel Confer on a Range of Security Issues

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:21:51 -0400

President Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel say now is the moment to forge ahead with the Middle East peace process. Obama says, “We discussed … the need for all of us to redouble our efforts to bring about two states, Israel and a Palestinian state. … The moment is now for us to act.”

Obama Seeks Enhanced Engagement with the Middle East, Europe

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:07:10 -0400

The centerpiece of President Obama’s five-day visit to the Middle East and to Europe will be his speech June 4 at Cairo University on U.S. relations with the Muslim world, say White House advisers.

U.S. Helps Nations Reduce, Destroy Excess Weapons and Munitions

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:02:18 -0400

Stockpiles of small arms, light weapons and aging munitions that were likely acquired decades ago pose security and safety concerns. The United States is helping nations reduce and destroy stockpiles of such weapons and often unstable munitions, a State Department official says.

Clinton Says North Korea’s Actions Will Bring Consequences

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:00:36 -0400

The United States is working with the international community at the United Nations and in national capitals across the globe to determine the consequences that North Korea will face based on its latest behavior, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says.

Obama Calls North Korea’s Nuclear Test Reckless

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Tue, 26 May 2009 14:58:20 -0400

North Korea’s recent underground nuclear test and short-range missile tests pose “a great threat to the peace and security of the world, and I strongly condemn their reckless action,” President Obama says at the White House, adding that the tests are a violation of international law.

U.S. Trade Representative Underscores Safety of U.S. Meat Exports

Bridget Hunter — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:01:22 -0400

U.S. meat products are safe and American ranchers and farmers are helping feed the families of the world, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk says. Trade, particularly trade in agricultural products, can be a “powerful contributor to the revival of the U.S. and global economies,” he says.

Obama Sets Framework for Trying Terrorist Detainees

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:49:52 -0400

President Obama said the 240 detainees held at Guantánamo Bay will be treated consistent with the rule of law and American values, but none who pose a danger will be released. This generation of Americans faces “a great test in the specter of terrorism,” Obama says.

Biden Seeks to Enhance U.S.-Serbian Relations

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:52:00 -0400

Vice President Biden and Serbian President Boris Tadic meet for talks in Belgrade aimed at opening a new path toward enhanced communications and relations between the United States and Serbia. Biden is on a three-nation visit through the Balkans that concludes in Kosovo May 21.

Biden Urges Bosnia to Put Aside Ethnic, Party Differences

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:29:44 -0400

The United States will help Bosnia and Herzegovina and the other Balkan nations to join the European Union as the “only real path to a secure and prosperous future,” Vice President Biden says. In a speech to the Bosnian parliament, Biden urges politicians to work across ethnic and party lines.

Vice President Biden Begins Visit to the Balkans May 19

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:15:45 -0400

Vice President Biden is traveling to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo beginning May 18 in large measure to demonstrate intensified U.S. engagement in the Balkans, a senior administration official says.

International Musicians Come Together Online and Onstage

Michael Gallant — Thu, 14 May 2009 10:24:18 -0400

Darius Klisys never dreamed of performing at Carnegie Hall. Though an accomplished musician, Klisys lives in Lithuania, with an ocean separating him from New York City. On April 15, he and musicians from 30 countries performed at Carnegie Hall as the YouTube Symphony Orchestra.

Press Freedom in Russia on Downward Slope, Report Says

Leah Dow — Fri, 08 May 2009 17:52:45 -0400

Reports released recently by Freedom House reveal a continuing decline in Russia of freedoms in both the press and the Internet. Those who dare to go beyond what the Kremlin deems appropriate face punishment by means of harassment, the reports find.

Will Financial Crisis Bring U.S.-EU Regulatory Convergence?

Andrzej Zwaniecki — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:17:07 -0400

The Group of 20 economies is pushing for a more unified approach to financial regulation from which U.S.-EU regulatory cooperation may benefit. But if past experience is an indication, the road to regulatory convergence between the United States and Europe will be difficult.

Reducing Nuclear Arsenals Is a Critical U.S.-Russian Concern

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:08:53 -0400

Reducing nuclear arsenals is among the highest priorities shared by United States and Russia, but an array of other issues from the Middle East to North Korea also fills the crowded agenda between the two nations, Secretary of State Clinton says after meeting with her Russian counterpart.

Russia Tackles Intellectual Property Piracy, But More Work Needed

Leah Dow — Mon, 04 May 2009 18:22:41 -0400

Copyright infringements and piracy remain a serious problem throughout Russia, according to a U.S. government agency and industry groups. While Russia is making some progress in combating these issues, more legislation and stronger enforcement action are recommended.

Alex Ovechkin Leads New Wave of Russian, European Hockey Stars

Howard Cincotta — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:14:21 -0400

Russian and other European players have been starring in North American hockey for decades. Today, much of Washington is wildly embracing superstar Alexander Ovechkin and his fellow Russians on the Washington Capitals as they compete for a championship.